Perth Glory have missed the chance to close the gap on the Hyundai A-League top four after being held to a 1-1 draw against Adelaide United on Friday night.
In an entertaining clash at Coopers Stadium, both sides scored in the first half before the Reds had the better chances to win it after the break.
Defender Dylan McGowan gave Adelaide the lead midway through the first half when he headed home from a corner, just minutes after producing one of the misses of the season.
Catch up with all the action at our match centre here
But Glory drew level in first-half stoppage-time when Castro won – and converted – a contentious penalty.
Adelaide dominated a pulsating second half but couldn’t find a way past Liam Reddy as the sides were forced to share the spoils.
While the Reds’ unbeaten run has now stretched to five games, Glory remains three points behind Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City in the top four, who both are yet to play in Round 25.
GOALS
1-0 Reds: Dylan McGowan 23’
Marcelo Carrusca’s corner was met by a glancing header by Taylor Regan which hit the far post only to be headed in from his central defensive partner from close range.
1-1 Glory: Diego Castro (pen) 45+1’
A clumsy challenge by McGowan in the box saw Castro go to ground to win a penalty. The Spaniard picked himself up and took the spot-kick, sending Eugene Galekovic the wrong way to level the scores.
Re-live the match on Twitter:
